Anti-West bias mars South Africa's global influence

Significance

Minister of State Security David Mahlobo was quick to dismiss the alert, saying "there was no immediate danger", emphasising that South Africa is a "stable democracy". His defensive tone has come to characterise Pretoria's difficult relations with the West.

Impacts

• Nigeria's role in representing Africa in global fora will grow, as indicated by its leader's prominent role in the UK's anti-graft summit.
• Zuma's unsuccessful attempt to energise the Burundi peace process could undermine his standing as a leading mediator in SSA.
• Trade with Iran could expand given the lifting of Western sanctions and growing bilateral diplomatic ties.
• Pretoria's criticism of Israel will persist, with rebukes claiming similarities between it and South Africa's previous apartheid system.
• The next AU head is unlikely to come from Southern Africa; a figure from a Francophone state is probable.